Gonzalez lauds police department for lowest crime rate in 33 years

McALLEN – With the lowest crime rate has been in the last 33 years, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) acknowledged the efforts of the efforts of the police department.

“This is a model that can be used throughout our country as well as all the cities in my district,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez wants the rest of the country to take note of how Chief Victor Rodriguez has made the city safe with intelligent tactics. Taking the model after the McAllen Police Department is something all border cities should mock. Gonzalez said there needs to be an analysis to show that there is indeed other strategies to protect the border.

Crime rates have gone down in the border cities of District 15 but not as dramatic as McAllen. The City of McAllen has increased the ratio of police officers to the amount of residents.

“I'm proud to say we're making huge strides and we hope to be able to share these ideas with the federal government,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez knows not all cities operate a budget like McAllen but they should do what they can with what they have. Sometimes funding is there from local government but the correct strategies are not implemented.

The federal government also needs to ante up and supplement local law enforcement agencies. Part of border security should be beefing up the coffers of local police departments across the border.

The next appropriations Gonzalez is trying to add extra federal funding for local law enforcement.

“We certainly want to find funding for every town in my district and other cities across the border,” he said.